The striker joined Sunderland on a free transfer earlier this week.
New Sunderland signing Victor Anichebe has told the club’s official website that he told Jermain Defoe he was a major part of his decision to join the Black Cats.
Anichebe made the move to the Stadium of Light earlier this week, agreeing to a one-year deal that sees him reunite with former manager David Moyes.
He arrives at the club to add much needed strength to their forward line, which is short on numbers following the injury to Fabio Borini.
He will play a backup role to first choice forward Defoe at the club and Anichebe says he told his fellow striker that he was key to his move.
“I was speaking to JD before; everyone knows he’s such a great player,” he told safc.com.
“He is so strong for such a small guy and you know when he gets a chance he’s either going to score or hit the target. I told him that he’s one of the reasons I came here because I feel I can learn from him.”
It will be interesting to see how much game time Anichebe is given by Sunderland this season.
He is unlikely to start many games as long as Defoe is fit with his performances at the club, especially last season, firmly establishing him as one of the first names on the team sheet.
Anichebe certainly offers the club something different though and it would not be surprising to see him regularly appearing from the bench as a result.
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